InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Soulless Knight ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 1 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: dragonsorceress42 
This is the beginning, basic introduction of characters, and a fight scene at the end.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.23.2009 | Updated On: 07.31.2009 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 279 | Status: Work In Progress
This is the beginning, basic introduction of characters, and a fight scene at the end.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.23.2009 | Updated On: 07.31.2009 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 279 | Status: Work In Progress
A/N: Good afternoon all you lovely victims, clears throat, I mean readers. This is my first fanfic, so I do apologize if it is a bit out there or choppy. Just read and review; especially if you find something that needs to come to my attention, thanks. Smiles and skips from the room.
Disclaimer: Don't own, never will, that should be enough for y'all.
Kouga walked over to a large, flat, moss covered shelf that stood near the back of the cave, almost as if it were meant as a bed. He placed a sleeping Kagome on the shelf, a snoring Shippo still tucked tightly in her arms, and she stirred only slightly before shifting to sleep again. He could still see the residue of tears glistening on her cheeks, curse that Inuyasha for making her cry, why did he have to go and die.
Kagome started to fidget in her sleep again, clutching the little kitsune closer to her chest, as if he might fade away. He dug his claws into the soft moss before pivoting around to face the other wolf demons behind him; they were all busying themselves with setting up camp, only ever quickly glancing at their agitated leader before returning to their tasks, but barley any speaking occurred.
At least a dozen or so of his comrades had managed to survive the battle with Naraku, all with only minor wounds that would heal within the next day or two. ‘We were lucky’, Kouga thought to himself as he watched a few of his comrades drag in a couple make-shift litters, one holding the wounded Miroku – Sango limped alongside, unwilling to leave the hoshi’s side for even a moment - and the second held the dead body of Inuyasha.
He would be bringing Inuyasha back to Kaede’s village, he had promised Kagome, despite what he felt for his now dead rival. Kirara brought up the rear of the group, in full demonic form, limping slightly on her left front paw. They placed Miroku’s litter near where the fire was being started off to the side, Sango collapsing next to him on the ground, while Inuyasha’s covered litter was placed just inside the entrance, just enough to be out of the rain but otherwise away from the living.
Kirara limped over to Sango’s side and transformed back into her cute, cuddly, and fluffy self. Kouga watched as she jumped up on top of the taijiya’s belly, only mewing slightly as she jarred her paw, and then curled into a ball to sleep. Sango stirred from her obvious reverie at this and opened her eyes, she placed a hand on top of the little fire cat and closed her eyes again, mumbling something he couldn’t make out. Kirara had understood it though, for she mewed lightly again before closing her eyes to sleep as well.
Ginta walked over and dropped Kagome’s yellow bag next to the shelf, nodding at Kouga, before walking around to check some of the more severe wounds of the others. Hakkaku also walked up to Kouga, with a somber look on his face, instead of his always cheery and/or mystified look.
“I smelled a spring nearby, would you like me to take a couple men and fill the water skins?” he asked, although he already knew the answer.
Kouga nodded and slid down to a seated position, leaning his head back against the shelf. “Keep a look out at all times. If you smell or hear anything odd, come back at once,” he said, he was unwilling to accept Naraku’s defeat without some caution, although he knew Hakkaku would not need reminding of such things; he was as good at running as Kouga.
Hakkaku nodded and went to pick out a couple of the less injured men, Kouga watched as he also dragged Ginta along, although this surprised no one. Ginta and Hakkaku had been inseparable for as long as he could remember, pack brothers normally were, and they were real brothers on top of that; but they had also stuck by Kouga through his entire reign, even if some of his younger decisions were a little out of sorts.
Kouga reached over to Kagome’s yellow bag, grabbed her blanket out of the top, and shook it out. As he gently lay the blanket on top of her, her eyes flew open and looked at him for a moment, devoid of their normal sparkle.
“Inuyasha?” she questioned, trying to rub the sleep from her unfocused eyes. Her eyes finally focused on Kouga, and she looked away, “Oh, it’s you Kouga-kun, sorry about that.” She muttered with a forced smile. She shifted Shippo to her lap as she sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the shelf.
Shippo woke at the movement and looked up at his adoptive mother, he noticed the vacant look in her eyes as she stared across the room, he followed her gaze and spotted Inuyasha’s covered litter. He looked back up at Kagome, “Mama, are you ok?” Deep concern laced his voice as he looked at her with big green eyes.
Kagome turned to Shippo and smiled at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll be fine Shippo, thank you.” She lifted Shippo off her lap and placed him on the shelf next to her, before sliding off onto her feet. She straightened her shirt and brushed off her jeans, “I need some air, I’m going for a walk. Stay here Shippo, and listen to Kouga-kun.” She said, ruffling the little kitsune’s hair before starting to walk towards the cave entrance.
Kouga spun around and grabbed her arm, pulling her back, into a tight embrace. “I don’t want you out of my sight, Naraku may be dead, but there are other dangers out there.”
Kagome sighed and tried to push him off of her, but his hold was firm, “I’ll be fine, I can look after myself you know, just let go. I need some time alone, time to think, I need air.” She gave one final shove and broke free of his hold, she took off towards the exit again before he could say another word, she didn’t even pause to glance at Inuyasha’s body as she passed.
Kouga looked kind of hurt as he watched Kagome walk out of the cave, he wanted to follow her and make sure she was ok, but all he could do was stand there. Shippo jumped up on Kouga’s shoulder and stared after Kagome as well, “It’s ok Kouga-sama, she just needs some time, she’ll be ok.”
Kouga nodded and Shippo jumped down from his shoulder, he dashed over to Sango and Miroku, laying down between them, only Kirara stirring at his sudden appearance. Kouga thought on what both Shippo and Kagome had said, and for once, found he agreed with the kitsune. He would give her some space, let her grieve, but be there if she needed him. He walked over and gracefully plopped down by the fire to warm up, he had to think of something to help her, he couldn’t let her keep going on like this. He kept an ear out for noises from outside, just in case.
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It was a little further to the stream then Hakkaku thought it would be, but the four of them did not really mind the lengthy walk; it allowed them an escape and to get some air. Kouga was agitated over Kagome’s depressed state, and none of the pack knew what to do for him, much less Kagome. Kagome was their pack sister, and Kouga’s future mate; they would do what they could to mend her broken heart.
Hakkaku was brought out of his musing abruptly when Ginta grabbed his arm and pulled him behind a bush, causing him to land hard on his ass, “Ginta, what the…?”
Ginta shushed him, frowning slightly, and pointed to his ears to signal him to listen for himself. He pointed in the direction of the stream.
Hakkaku perked up his ears and listened for what Ginta meant, at first hearing nothing. He glowered and was about to admonish Ginta for what he thought to be a prank - how dare he scare him like that? - but he stopped with his mouth half open when he heard it. It was the sound of a little girl humming a lullaby very softly. She sounded very young, perhaps no more then 6 or 7; her voice, though soft, easily filling his ears. When he looked, he saw that she was right next to the stream. He frowned slightly and gave Ginta a curious look. What would a little girl that young be doing out here alone, at this time of night?
They all jumped half out of their furs when the little girl spoke; her voice was very sweet and almost hypnotic, “You can come out now, silly wolves, I don’t bite.” She giggled.
Hakkaku nodded at Ginta as he stood and walked out from behind the bushes, the other three close behind.
The little girl was sitting on a large bolder right next to the stream, looking straight at them and smiling. She indeed appeared to be around the age Hakkaku had assumed, having waist length, dark chestnut brown hair; her sapphire blue eyes sparkled and seemed to dance in the moon light, almost as if they had their own life behind them. Her body was petite, but perfectly proportioned. She wore a silver kimono embroidered with blue roses that almost matched her eyes perfectly, the obi was a reverse coloring. Her skin was pale; it seemed too glowed beneath the gentle rays of the moon, she seemed almost ethereal. The gentle smile she wore seemed to light the clearing in the same glow, almost as if they were no longer on the earthly plan.
Hakkaku was the first to recover from his shock; he walked up to the little girl and bowed, sensing the other 3 doing the same behind him. He was also the first one to find his voice again, “Forgive us for intruding, we just needed some water for our pack, we will not be long.” He bowed again and motioned for the other 3 to start filling the water skins, as the other 3 complied he straightened up again and looked straight at the little girl, who was still smiling at him. “If you don’t mind my asking, what is someone so young doing out here alone, and at night?” Hakkaku blurted out before he could stop himself.
The little girl giggled again, “What makes you think I would be that brash, wolf? I am never left alone, even when I wish to be.” She blushed slightly and nodded to the tree line just behind him, on the other side of the stream.
Hakkaku turned around and looked into the dark abyss of the forest beyond, at first seeing and sensing nothing, he thought the little girl was joking with him. Then, a pair of burning red eyes appeared where he was looking, and he heard a very deep, menacing growl emanate seemingly from all around them. Ginta and the 2 wolf youkai at the waters edge jumped, all looking at the eyes on the other side of the stream, but they were to terrified to move.
The beast stepped out of the forest and up to the waters edge on his side of the stream, the ground shook slightly as he stepped. He looked down at them with his huge faceted eyes; they whirled with various hues of red, like a never ending inferno. The beast was massive in size; his body was comprised of millions of bright red scales, each the size of 3 dinner plates put together. On top of the beast’s head were 2 spiraling horns, they looked to be made of diamonds, and razor sharp. His 1 ½ foot long claws looked to be the same, with 4 claws to a foot; his mouth was full of razor sharp teeth of the same as well. The coloring is his scales reflected in his crystal like claws teeth and horns, making them look as if they were on fire, the flames dancing as he moved. A pair of massive wings was folded upon the beasts back; they reached from the base of his tail, to the base of his skull, tipped with more of the same deadly crystal like talons. Hakkaku could not see the tail, as the beast was so large that the second half was still hidden in the dense forest.
The youkai energy that they all now sensed was so massive and strong that it seemed to pool around the beast, enveloping the once serene clearing with terror and dread, it was stronger then anything any of them had ever seen before. How had Hakkaku missed such a strong aura? There was no way Kouga would have missed it, how had this beast stayed hidden? Hakkaku realized that his mouth was hanging open and snapped it shut; he didn’t dare blink though, or look away.
“Stop it right now, you’re scaring away my new friends; this isn’t fair, just go back to hiding.” The little girl plead, a mixture of tears and anger lacing her words, her ethereal glow had disappeared. Hakkaku’s attention snapped back to the little girl, who was no longer smiling, but crying. She was standing right next to him, she was no taller then his hip.
The beast stepped back into the forest and lay down, keeping his eyes on the wolf youkai; Hakkaku found his voice again as the aura dissipated slightly. “We should go anyway; Lord Kouga will worry if we take to long.” He bowed to the little girl as she wiped the tears from her face and gave him a half smile. “Maybe we shall meet again some time; it was a pleasure while it lasted, milady.” Hakkaku smiled at her as he straightened up and beckoned to the others, they pried their eyes from the still glaring beast and followed Hakkaku out of the clearing and into the woods, back towards the cave.
The little girl looked back to her beast as soon as they were out of sight, nodded as if in farewell. The beast chuckled slightly as it stood and walked away down stream. The little girl smiled back in the direction of Hakkaku before she walked away, following the river up stream.
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Kagome walked blindly into the forest just outside the cave, she wasn’t sure where she was going, she just needed to get away from his body. She walked deeper and deeper into the ever thickening forest, she knew Kouga would worry if she strayed too far, but she just couldn’t bring herself to turn around. When she finely stopped and looked around, she realized that she could no longer see the cave, or the mountain side in which it rested. She backed up against a large tree and slid down it’s trunk to sit on the ground, she wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled them to her chest, then she rested her forehead on her arms and closed her eyes.
She stayed like this for a while, not wanting to go back; it still hurt. She shifted slightly, trying to relieve the numb feeling in her rear end, barely registering the tears that were still falling from her eyes; how long had she sat there? She suddenly sensed a youkai aura, very close to her, she opened her eyes and lifted her head to look around. Her vision was slightly blurry from her tears, she could hardly make out the bushes in front of her.
The youkai was getting closer, she wiped her eyes and tried to stand, but her legs felt like rubber after sitting as she had for so long. She reached behind her back, only to remember she had left her bow and quiver back at the cave, she silently cursed herself for being so careless. She looked around her and saw two fist sized rocks, picking them up, she was finally able to stand and backed against the tree she had been sitting under.
She looked back up just in time to see a giant cobra looking snake youkai emerge from the bushes, “Well, well, well, what have we here?” The cobra hissed in a raspy voice, it coiled itself within striking range of Kagome. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to wonder the woods alone little girl? You might run into a big bad wolf.” He made a raspy noise that sounded like a sad attempt at laughing.
Kagome raised an eyebrow, “That was the saddest pun I’ve ever heard, you should really work on some new material. Besides, I’ve already met the ‘big bad wolf’, and he’s one of the nicest youkai I’ve ever met.” She chided, “And he will come looking for me any moment now.” She added with more haste then she intended, fear starting to lace her voice. What if he didn’t come, she had been outright vile to him back at the cave, she wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t.
The cobra youkai laughed and flicking his tongue, “Kouga will not make it before I finish with you, little girl.” He laughed again at the look of shock on her face, “oh yes, I know who your wolf is, I can smell his vile stench all over you. I will especially enjoy watching him find your corpse, right after I’m done digesting it.”
Kagome charged one of the rocks with her miko powers, making it glow pink, before throwing it and hitting him dead center of his forehead. It sizzled and left a burn mark; he shook his head and hissed at her, showing the poison dripping from his razor sharp fangs, “Bitch, you will die slow for that.” He yelled as he lunged at her.
Kagome tried to jump out of the way, but he was to fast for her. One of his poison fangs grazed her right leg, tearing through her jeans and ripping a nice gash on her leg. “AHHHH!” She screamed as she fell to the ground on all fours, she could feel the effects of the poison starting to work already, as her vision blurred slightly.
The youkai wrapped his tail around Kagome’s middle and lifted her off the ground, she tried to purify him with her miko powers, but they seemed to just sputter and die. The youkai just chuckled slightly as he squeezed. “The poison is numbing even your powers, miko; they can not help you know.”
Kagome tried to struggle as she felt the air leave her lungs, but her limbs started to feel rubbery and weak. ‘So this is how I’ll meet my end, after all we went through against Naraku, I shall be devoured by a cobra youkai.’ She thought as the youkai tightened his coils around her, ‘it seems almost pathetic, in a way. Maybe I’ll get to be with Inuyasha again, share the afterlife with him as well, that would be nice.’ Her vision started to fade at the edges as she gasped for breath; she gave one last attempt at struggling, before realizing it was a fruitless effort. Her muscles just wouldn’t obey, and now the lower half of her body was starting to tingle and go numb, she could no longer feel the blood she knew was dripping down her leg.
Her lungs started to feel on fire from lack of oxygen when she saw it; a pair of glowing fire red eyes at the edge of the tree line, just behind the youkai, watching. The cobra youkai was so tuned into his kill, that he didn’t even notice, “I’ll be sure to pass on your tragic demise to your beloved Kouga.” He laughed again; it seemed to echo through her ears, causing her to cringe.
The eyes beyond the tree line moved as the creature stepped out of the shadows to stand directly behind the cobra youkai, were those wings on his back? “To bad you will not live that long, filthy wretch.” His voice was low and even, laced with the disgust he obviously felt for the youkai in front of him.
“Why you little…” The Cobra youkai spun his head around to confront the intruder, but he was gone. The Cobra youkai spun his head from side to side, trying to find the youkai who was trying to disturb his meal.
“Up here, cur.” Both Kagome and the Cobra youkai looked up, just in time to see the other youkai dive from the sky and sever the Cobra youkai’s tail with one clawed hand. Kagome fell to the ground, the severed tail releasing her, gasping for air and coughing. The Cobra youkai screamed in pain, his tailless stub flailing in all directions, spattering blood everywhere.
Kagome could feel her consciousness ebbing away, but she held on with everything she had left, she couldn’t pass out now. She looked up at her savior, but all she saw was a blur, her eye sight was still being affected by the poison.
The Cobra youkai finally stopped trashing and looked at his assailant, “You will pay for that, whelp.” The Cobra youkai wasted no time in lunging with lightning speed, but he was to slow. The other youkai dodged by jumped into the air, spreading his wings like a parachute with ease, and landing just behind the Cobra.
The other youkai chuckled slightly, “Is that it? A mess of idol threats and slow reflexes? You are pathetic, a disgrace to youkai everywhere.” He flexed his claws and gave an almost evil grin, as the Cobra youkai turned to face him, “I shall enjoy dispatching you from this plane, there is no room for weaklings here. Give my regards to the ruler of after realm, for he shall not have me today.” He jumped into the air, faster then the eye could follow, he sliced the Cobra youkai in half with one clawed hand, as he came back down.
The Cobra youkai screamed as he turned to dust and drifted away in the breeze, the other youkai landing gracefully where the Cobra youkai had once stood, folding his wings around himself like a cape. Kagome could hold on no longer, she just hoped that this strange youkai had not just saved her so he could finish her off himself, or worse. She slumped forward on the ground as she lost consciousness.
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A/N: Well, that took a lot out of me, tee hee, hope you liked it. Bare in mind though folks, my beta (TheSorrowfulVampress here and on DA) has not finished with this, but I could not wait to get this first chapter up and running. So keep an eye out, there will be some edits to this chapter. But my muse is fleeing for its sanity right now, so I must go catch her and put the shackles back on, lol. So, for those who liked it, I will get the second chapter up ASAP, for those who didn’t, oh well. Shrugs, Laters.
Disclaimer: Don't own, never will, that should be enough for y'all.
Soulless Knight
Chapter 1: Aftermath
The cave was dark and damp and he could hear water dripping from the stalactites; smell the moss covering most of the floor. But other than this, it seemed clean enough, at least for a temporary den, as well as the fact that it was rather large. He really had no other choice, the sun had already set a while ago, and now a chill was setting into the air.Chapter 1: Aftermath
Kouga walked over to a large, flat, moss covered shelf that stood near the back of the cave, almost as if it were meant as a bed. He placed a sleeping Kagome on the shelf, a snoring Shippo still tucked tightly in her arms, and she stirred only slightly before shifting to sleep again. He could still see the residue of tears glistening on her cheeks, curse that Inuyasha for making her cry, why did he have to go and die.
Kagome started to fidget in her sleep again, clutching the little kitsune closer to her chest, as if he might fade away. He dug his claws into the soft moss before pivoting around to face the other wolf demons behind him; they were all busying themselves with setting up camp, only ever quickly glancing at their agitated leader before returning to their tasks, but barley any speaking occurred.
At least a dozen or so of his comrades had managed to survive the battle with Naraku, all with only minor wounds that would heal within the next day or two. ‘We were lucky’, Kouga thought to himself as he watched a few of his comrades drag in a couple make-shift litters, one holding the wounded Miroku – Sango limped alongside, unwilling to leave the hoshi’s side for even a moment - and the second held the dead body of Inuyasha.
He would be bringing Inuyasha back to Kaede’s village, he had promised Kagome, despite what he felt for his now dead rival. Kirara brought up the rear of the group, in full demonic form, limping slightly on her left front paw. They placed Miroku’s litter near where the fire was being started off to the side, Sango collapsing next to him on the ground, while Inuyasha’s covered litter was placed just inside the entrance, just enough to be out of the rain but otherwise away from the living.
Kirara limped over to Sango’s side and transformed back into her cute, cuddly, and fluffy self. Kouga watched as she jumped up on top of the taijiya’s belly, only mewing slightly as she jarred her paw, and then curled into a ball to sleep. Sango stirred from her obvious reverie at this and opened her eyes, she placed a hand on top of the little fire cat and closed her eyes again, mumbling something he couldn’t make out. Kirara had understood it though, for she mewed lightly again before closing her eyes to sleep as well.
Ginta walked over and dropped Kagome’s yellow bag next to the shelf, nodding at Kouga, before walking around to check some of the more severe wounds of the others. Hakkaku also walked up to Kouga, with a somber look on his face, instead of his always cheery and/or mystified look.
“I smelled a spring nearby, would you like me to take a couple men and fill the water skins?” he asked, although he already knew the answer.
Kouga nodded and slid down to a seated position, leaning his head back against the shelf. “Keep a look out at all times. If you smell or hear anything odd, come back at once,” he said, he was unwilling to accept Naraku’s defeat without some caution, although he knew Hakkaku would not need reminding of such things; he was as good at running as Kouga.
Hakkaku nodded and went to pick out a couple of the less injured men, Kouga watched as he also dragged Ginta along, although this surprised no one. Ginta and Hakkaku had been inseparable for as long as he could remember, pack brothers normally were, and they were real brothers on top of that; but they had also stuck by Kouga through his entire reign, even if some of his younger decisions were a little out of sorts.
Kouga reached over to Kagome’s yellow bag, grabbed her blanket out of the top, and shook it out. As he gently lay the blanket on top of her, her eyes flew open and looked at him for a moment, devoid of their normal sparkle.
“Inuyasha?” she questioned, trying to rub the sleep from her unfocused eyes. Her eyes finally focused on Kouga, and she looked away, “Oh, it’s you Kouga-kun, sorry about that.” She muttered with a forced smile. She shifted Shippo to her lap as she sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the shelf.
Shippo woke at the movement and looked up at his adoptive mother, he noticed the vacant look in her eyes as she stared across the room, he followed her gaze and spotted Inuyasha’s covered litter. He looked back up at Kagome, “Mama, are you ok?” Deep concern laced his voice as he looked at her with big green eyes.
Kagome turned to Shippo and smiled at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll be fine Shippo, thank you.” She lifted Shippo off her lap and placed him on the shelf next to her, before sliding off onto her feet. She straightened her shirt and brushed off her jeans, “I need some air, I’m going for a walk. Stay here Shippo, and listen to Kouga-kun.” She said, ruffling the little kitsune’s hair before starting to walk towards the cave entrance.
Kouga spun around and grabbed her arm, pulling her back, into a tight embrace. “I don’t want you out of my sight, Naraku may be dead, but there are other dangers out there.”
Kagome sighed and tried to push him off of her, but his hold was firm, “I’ll be fine, I can look after myself you know, just let go. I need some time alone, time to think, I need air.” She gave one final shove and broke free of his hold, she took off towards the exit again before he could say another word, she didn’t even pause to glance at Inuyasha’s body as she passed.
Kouga looked kind of hurt as he watched Kagome walk out of the cave, he wanted to follow her and make sure she was ok, but all he could do was stand there. Shippo jumped up on Kouga’s shoulder and stared after Kagome as well, “It’s ok Kouga-sama, she just needs some time, she’ll be ok.”
Kouga nodded and Shippo jumped down from his shoulder, he dashed over to Sango and Miroku, laying down between them, only Kirara stirring at his sudden appearance. Kouga thought on what both Shippo and Kagome had said, and for once, found he agreed with the kitsune. He would give her some space, let her grieve, but be there if she needed him. He walked over and gracefully plopped down by the fire to warm up, he had to think of something to help her, he couldn’t let her keep going on like this. He kept an ear out for noises from outside, just in case.
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It was a little further to the stream then Hakkaku thought it would be, but the four of them did not really mind the lengthy walk; it allowed them an escape and to get some air. Kouga was agitated over Kagome’s depressed state, and none of the pack knew what to do for him, much less Kagome. Kagome was their pack sister, and Kouga’s future mate; they would do what they could to mend her broken heart.
Hakkaku was brought out of his musing abruptly when Ginta grabbed his arm and pulled him behind a bush, causing him to land hard on his ass, “Ginta, what the…?”
Ginta shushed him, frowning slightly, and pointed to his ears to signal him to listen for himself. He pointed in the direction of the stream.
Hakkaku perked up his ears and listened for what Ginta meant, at first hearing nothing. He glowered and was about to admonish Ginta for what he thought to be a prank - how dare he scare him like that? - but he stopped with his mouth half open when he heard it. It was the sound of a little girl humming a lullaby very softly. She sounded very young, perhaps no more then 6 or 7; her voice, though soft, easily filling his ears. When he looked, he saw that she was right next to the stream. He frowned slightly and gave Ginta a curious look. What would a little girl that young be doing out here alone, at this time of night?
They all jumped half out of their furs when the little girl spoke; her voice was very sweet and almost hypnotic, “You can come out now, silly wolves, I don’t bite.” She giggled.
Hakkaku nodded at Ginta as he stood and walked out from behind the bushes, the other three close behind.
The little girl was sitting on a large bolder right next to the stream, looking straight at them and smiling. She indeed appeared to be around the age Hakkaku had assumed, having waist length, dark chestnut brown hair; her sapphire blue eyes sparkled and seemed to dance in the moon light, almost as if they had their own life behind them. Her body was petite, but perfectly proportioned. She wore a silver kimono embroidered with blue roses that almost matched her eyes perfectly, the obi was a reverse coloring. Her skin was pale; it seemed too glowed beneath the gentle rays of the moon, she seemed almost ethereal. The gentle smile she wore seemed to light the clearing in the same glow, almost as if they were no longer on the earthly plan.
Hakkaku was the first to recover from his shock; he walked up to the little girl and bowed, sensing the other 3 doing the same behind him. He was also the first one to find his voice again, “Forgive us for intruding, we just needed some water for our pack, we will not be long.” He bowed again and motioned for the other 3 to start filling the water skins, as the other 3 complied he straightened up again and looked straight at the little girl, who was still smiling at him. “If you don’t mind my asking, what is someone so young doing out here alone, and at night?” Hakkaku blurted out before he could stop himself.
The little girl giggled again, “What makes you think I would be that brash, wolf? I am never left alone, even when I wish to be.” She blushed slightly and nodded to the tree line just behind him, on the other side of the stream.
Hakkaku turned around and looked into the dark abyss of the forest beyond, at first seeing and sensing nothing, he thought the little girl was joking with him. Then, a pair of burning red eyes appeared where he was looking, and he heard a very deep, menacing growl emanate seemingly from all around them. Ginta and the 2 wolf youkai at the waters edge jumped, all looking at the eyes on the other side of the stream, but they were to terrified to move.
The beast stepped out of the forest and up to the waters edge on his side of the stream, the ground shook slightly as he stepped. He looked down at them with his huge faceted eyes; they whirled with various hues of red, like a never ending inferno. The beast was massive in size; his body was comprised of millions of bright red scales, each the size of 3 dinner plates put together. On top of the beast’s head were 2 spiraling horns, they looked to be made of diamonds, and razor sharp. His 1 ½ foot long claws looked to be the same, with 4 claws to a foot; his mouth was full of razor sharp teeth of the same as well. The coloring is his scales reflected in his crystal like claws teeth and horns, making them look as if they were on fire, the flames dancing as he moved. A pair of massive wings was folded upon the beasts back; they reached from the base of his tail, to the base of his skull, tipped with more of the same deadly crystal like talons. Hakkaku could not see the tail, as the beast was so large that the second half was still hidden in the dense forest.
The youkai energy that they all now sensed was so massive and strong that it seemed to pool around the beast, enveloping the once serene clearing with terror and dread, it was stronger then anything any of them had ever seen before. How had Hakkaku missed such a strong aura? There was no way Kouga would have missed it, how had this beast stayed hidden? Hakkaku realized that his mouth was hanging open and snapped it shut; he didn’t dare blink though, or look away.
“Stop it right now, you’re scaring away my new friends; this isn’t fair, just go back to hiding.” The little girl plead, a mixture of tears and anger lacing her words, her ethereal glow had disappeared. Hakkaku’s attention snapped back to the little girl, who was no longer smiling, but crying. She was standing right next to him, she was no taller then his hip.
The beast stepped back into the forest and lay down, keeping his eyes on the wolf youkai; Hakkaku found his voice again as the aura dissipated slightly. “We should go anyway; Lord Kouga will worry if we take to long.” He bowed to the little girl as she wiped the tears from her face and gave him a half smile. “Maybe we shall meet again some time; it was a pleasure while it lasted, milady.” Hakkaku smiled at her as he straightened up and beckoned to the others, they pried their eyes from the still glaring beast and followed Hakkaku out of the clearing and into the woods, back towards the cave.
The little girl looked back to her beast as soon as they were out of sight, nodded as if in farewell. The beast chuckled slightly as it stood and walked away down stream. The little girl smiled back in the direction of Hakkaku before she walked away, following the river up stream.
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Kagome walked blindly into the forest just outside the cave, she wasn’t sure where she was going, she just needed to get away from his body. She walked deeper and deeper into the ever thickening forest, she knew Kouga would worry if she strayed too far, but she just couldn’t bring herself to turn around. When she finely stopped and looked around, she realized that she could no longer see the cave, or the mountain side in which it rested. She backed up against a large tree and slid down it’s trunk to sit on the ground, she wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled them to her chest, then she rested her forehead on her arms and closed her eyes.
She stayed like this for a while, not wanting to go back; it still hurt. She shifted slightly, trying to relieve the numb feeling in her rear end, barely registering the tears that were still falling from her eyes; how long had she sat there? She suddenly sensed a youkai aura, very close to her, she opened her eyes and lifted her head to look around. Her vision was slightly blurry from her tears, she could hardly make out the bushes in front of her.
The youkai was getting closer, she wiped her eyes and tried to stand, but her legs felt like rubber after sitting as she had for so long. She reached behind her back, only to remember she had left her bow and quiver back at the cave, she silently cursed herself for being so careless. She looked around her and saw two fist sized rocks, picking them up, she was finally able to stand and backed against the tree she had been sitting under.
She looked back up just in time to see a giant cobra looking snake youkai emerge from the bushes, “Well, well, well, what have we here?” The cobra hissed in a raspy voice, it coiled itself within striking range of Kagome. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to wonder the woods alone little girl? You might run into a big bad wolf.” He made a raspy noise that sounded like a sad attempt at laughing.
Kagome raised an eyebrow, “That was the saddest pun I’ve ever heard, you should really work on some new material. Besides, I’ve already met the ‘big bad wolf’, and he’s one of the nicest youkai I’ve ever met.” She chided, “And he will come looking for me any moment now.” She added with more haste then she intended, fear starting to lace her voice. What if he didn’t come, she had been outright vile to him back at the cave, she wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t.
The cobra youkai laughed and flicking his tongue, “Kouga will not make it before I finish with you, little girl.” He laughed again at the look of shock on her face, “oh yes, I know who your wolf is, I can smell his vile stench all over you. I will especially enjoy watching him find your corpse, right after I’m done digesting it.”
Kagome charged one of the rocks with her miko powers, making it glow pink, before throwing it and hitting him dead center of his forehead. It sizzled and left a burn mark; he shook his head and hissed at her, showing the poison dripping from his razor sharp fangs, “Bitch, you will die slow for that.” He yelled as he lunged at her.
Kagome tried to jump out of the way, but he was to fast for her. One of his poison fangs grazed her right leg, tearing through her jeans and ripping a nice gash on her leg. “AHHHH!” She screamed as she fell to the ground on all fours, she could feel the effects of the poison starting to work already, as her vision blurred slightly.
The youkai wrapped his tail around Kagome’s middle and lifted her off the ground, she tried to purify him with her miko powers, but they seemed to just sputter and die. The youkai just chuckled slightly as he squeezed. “The poison is numbing even your powers, miko; they can not help you know.”
Kagome tried to struggle as she felt the air leave her lungs, but her limbs started to feel rubbery and weak. ‘So this is how I’ll meet my end, after all we went through against Naraku, I shall be devoured by a cobra youkai.’ She thought as the youkai tightened his coils around her, ‘it seems almost pathetic, in a way. Maybe I’ll get to be with Inuyasha again, share the afterlife with him as well, that would be nice.’ Her vision started to fade at the edges as she gasped for breath; she gave one last attempt at struggling, before realizing it was a fruitless effort. Her muscles just wouldn’t obey, and now the lower half of her body was starting to tingle and go numb, she could no longer feel the blood she knew was dripping down her leg.
Her lungs started to feel on fire from lack of oxygen when she saw it; a pair of glowing fire red eyes at the edge of the tree line, just behind the youkai, watching. The cobra youkai was so tuned into his kill, that he didn’t even notice, “I’ll be sure to pass on your tragic demise to your beloved Kouga.” He laughed again; it seemed to echo through her ears, causing her to cringe.
The eyes beyond the tree line moved as the creature stepped out of the shadows to stand directly behind the cobra youkai, were those wings on his back? “To bad you will not live that long, filthy wretch.” His voice was low and even, laced with the disgust he obviously felt for the youkai in front of him.
“Why you little…” The Cobra youkai spun his head around to confront the intruder, but he was gone. The Cobra youkai spun his head from side to side, trying to find the youkai who was trying to disturb his meal.
“Up here, cur.” Both Kagome and the Cobra youkai looked up, just in time to see the other youkai dive from the sky and sever the Cobra youkai’s tail with one clawed hand. Kagome fell to the ground, the severed tail releasing her, gasping for air and coughing. The Cobra youkai screamed in pain, his tailless stub flailing in all directions, spattering blood everywhere.
Kagome could feel her consciousness ebbing away, but she held on with everything she had left, she couldn’t pass out now. She looked up at her savior, but all she saw was a blur, her eye sight was still being affected by the poison.
The Cobra youkai finally stopped trashing and looked at his assailant, “You will pay for that, whelp.” The Cobra youkai wasted no time in lunging with lightning speed, but he was to slow. The other youkai dodged by jumped into the air, spreading his wings like a parachute with ease, and landing just behind the Cobra.
The other youkai chuckled slightly, “Is that it? A mess of idol threats and slow reflexes? You are pathetic, a disgrace to youkai everywhere.” He flexed his claws and gave an almost evil grin, as the Cobra youkai turned to face him, “I shall enjoy dispatching you from this plane, there is no room for weaklings here. Give my regards to the ruler of after realm, for he shall not have me today.” He jumped into the air, faster then the eye could follow, he sliced the Cobra youkai in half with one clawed hand, as he came back down.
The Cobra youkai screamed as he turned to dust and drifted away in the breeze, the other youkai landing gracefully where the Cobra youkai had once stood, folding his wings around himself like a cape. Kagome could hold on no longer, she just hoped that this strange youkai had not just saved her so he could finish her off himself, or worse. She slumped forward on the ground as she lost consciousness.
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A/N: Well, that took a lot out of me, tee hee, hope you liked it. Bare in mind though folks, my beta (TheSorrowfulVampress here and on DA) has not finished with this, but I could not wait to get this first chapter up and running. So keep an eye out, there will be some edits to this chapter. But my muse is fleeing for its sanity right now, so I must go catch her and put the shackles back on, lol. So, for those who liked it, I will get the second chapter up ASAP, for those who didn’t, oh well. Shrugs, Laters.